Solar Impulse: The solar-powered aeroplane

Solar Impulse: The solar-powered aeroplane

8 March 2010: The solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse (HB-SIA prototype) had its maiden flight at the military airport in Payerne, Switzerland, yesterday. The prototype, with the wingspan of a Boeing 747 and the weight of a small car, started to a two-hour test flight to examine whether the plane can keep a straight trajectory. The Solar Impulse project aims to circumnavigate the world with an aircraft powered only by solar energy

Thu 8 Apr 2010 05.48 EDT
First published on Thu 8 Apr 2010 05.48 EDT

The Solar Impulse aircraft takes off at the airport in PayernePhotograph: Sebastian Derungs/AFP/Getty Images